The Algarve

David's brother Ian at high speed!
Originally uploaded by rosailither.

From Lisbon down, the coastline changed dramatically – from non-stop sandy beaches to rocky sandstone cliffs. A couple of short hops took us via Sesimbra and Sines to the southwest headland of Cabo San Vicente, where we rounded the ‘end of the world’ for the third time (after Cornwall’s Land’s End and Spanish Finisterre).
We then left the reliable northerly winds and Atlantic swell for the more sheltered waters of the Algarve with it’s fluky winds – back to motoring again. In one day we went from the unspoilt village of Baleeira to the huge developed holiday town of Portimao, with two cruise ships moored outside. We were tickled to watch the passengers being ferried to and from shore in tiny lifeboat-like craft, which were smashing well into the seas that day, despite it being calm. I wonder how many people are brave enough to go ashore in those in rough weather?
At Faro, we met Dave’s brother and family for a week’s holiday during which we visited the market town of Olhau, the holiday town of Tavira (great beaches) and the Rio Guadiana, with Spain on one riverbank and Portugal on the other. Dave created a new watersport of being dragged behind the dinghy on a surfboard using a rolling pin as a tow-handle, and we discovered that swinging in a hammock at sea creates a violent momentum of its own. We also managed to fit in a spot of shopping and hiking as well as trying out the local places to eat (where a plate of prawns means a plate of prawns.).
We are still debating our next move. It all depends on the price of diesel…